Photographer's Note

I took this shot in a Riyadh street because I liked the contrast between the late afternoon light on the modern buildings in the background, and the shadow area in the foreground where the street traders were going about their business like you will find in the backstreets of any Arabian city. I also liked the contrast between the old shops on the right Ė which seemed to be coming apart at the seams Ė and the sleek lines of the new buildings.

These street traders were selling DVDs out of cardboard boxes on plastic tables Ė I got a few nervous looks when I showed up with my camera, so I donít know whether they were legal or not.

The building with the glass sphere at the top (which houses an expensive restaurant) is the Al-Faisaliah Tower, and the one behind which looks like a bottle opener (which is actually higher than the Al-Faisaliah Tower) is the Kingdom Tower. I took some close-ups of these buildings which I will post later.

David Happy New Year to you. I wan to thank you for being a true global trekker on this site. The places you have been and seen amazes me to no end. I keep wondering how you manage to get around without getting yourself killed or your camera robbed off you!!

The photo presented shows insight into the street life and viewpoint of these people. Whenever I see these state of the art designed towers I think it must be because they do not have mountains to view that they need interesting shapes to look at for pleasurable viewing. Just kidding. It shows the wealth of their country and I gather is a vital part of their culture.

Excellent capture David and I hope to stop by and see more that you have in store. You take care of yourself and all the best for you in 2007!

That bottle-opener building (perfect for New Years) looks quite interesting, I hope you show more of that.

I like this shot as journalism--I didn't know whether traditional Arab markets were still around in places like Saudi Arabia. I think it would be better if we could see what was being sold--persumably it's pretty mundane stuff which would increase the contrast with the very modern buildings. But perhaps circumstances didn't allow that. Anyway, thanks for showing another interesting little piece of the world that most of us don't get to see.

Hello David, interesting note & about those "few nervous looks" its normal, cuz the most of them donít like cameras & I wish I know why!! Iím Saudi living in Jeddah, & I get these looks all the time. Taking pictures itís not illegal but some ppl just hate it.

Hi David, very interesting documentary/ journalistic shot of a "strange" world. The composition truly shows a multitude of contrasts. Most of it you already discussed in your detailed note, but I think the clothes are also a contrast for itself and shows some difference between the arabic world and westernized world.
Greetings, Peter

I can't help it David, but this photo feels so alien to me. I think it may be the strange architecture of the buildings that make me feel that way. Or, is it because I don't see often women there? I don't know...
Your notes are always of great interest. A good mix of information about the place and your own experience there. I appreciate that a lot.
Thanks David!
Claire